Wouldn't you know it - I'm seasoning my cast iron at 500°F now (as opposed to the 375° I was trying earlier) and it's turning the proper color.
Come on, polymerization!
@evistre
This is the one I've been cooking on here and there. Not a fan of how splotchy the cooking surface is. Probably as a result of my improper seasoning rounds. I wonder if I need to completely strip it and start over.
@voltronic Hmmm, might be a good idea. Now that you know the proper heat it should be much easier :)
IMO, you should redo it.
looks like the splotchy area is from too much oil....maybe?
**hard to tell from a picture
@BLuOXide @voltronic @evistre
If it's not rust, it will all come out alright with time.
@AlphaCentauri
Definitely not rust. I suspect it's from a couple rounds of seasoning at too low attempt, followed by cooking something that stuck which I needed to use the chainmail scrubber to remove.
So you think just keep using it as is? The surface feels rather smooth even though I know it's not correct.
@voltronic @BLuOXide @evistre
As you use it, some comes off, some plasticizes with whatever's still on it, and all of it darkens. Have patience, Grasshopper!
@voltronic GO SCIENCE!
@voltronic You should always start seasoning at a lower temperature, say 200F or so for a few hours to help fill in the pores on the metal. After that you can continue with the higher temps or just start cooking with it. We continuously reseason with a tsp of oil brought to smoke temp and allowed to cool gradually after each cooking/cleaning session or two. It has kept our cast iron in good shape for decades.
@Spartan
Valuable advice. Thank you.
@voltronic yooooo nice :)